City swelters as cool change approaches

A cool change is expected in Melbourne between 9pm-10pm on Wednesday, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, providing welcome relief from today's sweltering conditions.

Senior forecaster Dean Stewart said the change, which has already arrived in Portland and is moving eastward, would drop the temperature from 30 degrees to around 23 or 24.

Melbourne posted a high of 36.4, recorded at 3.05pm.

Mildura and Hopetoun Airport are the only places that reached 40 degrees during the day. Towns in the Wimmera and Mallee have all reached tops in the high-to-mid 30s, with the rest of the state slightly cooler.

Thursday's weather is expected to be similar to today's, although maximum temperatures won't be as high.

Melbourne is expected to reach a top of 33 degrees, with partly cloudy skies.